What Is a Slip and Fall Accident?

A slip and fall accident occurs when a person slips, trips, falls or is otherwise injured on another person’s property. This type of accident may occur on a rough patch of ground, a flight of stairs, a dangerous floor or any other poorly maintained property. In some cases, the property owner is partially or wholly responsible for the accident and can be held liable for any injuries.

In a slip and fall case, the property owner can only be held liable if one of these criteria is met: The owner knew of the dangerous condition but failed to take steps to improve it, the owner directly caused the dangerous condition (such as a spill or worn surface) or the owner should have known of the unsafe condition because a “reasonable” person would have been aware of it.

While the third situation is the most common, it is typically the most difficult to prove. Determining whether a property owner was “reasonable” requires investigating whether the person made regular and thorough efforts to keep the property clean, safe and well maintained.

When trying to figure out if a property owner was liable for your injury, it can be helpful to ask yourself a few questions. If you tripped over something on the floor, was it there long enough that the owner should have been aware of it? Was there a clear reason for it to be there or was there a safer place it could have been located? Could a warning have been given or a barrier been put in place to prevent injuries?

If you or someone you know was injured on someone else’s property and you believe the owner was responsible for the injuries, work with an Indiana slip and fall lawyer to explore your options for seeking compensation.

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